It said that winds in areas affected by the warning, which means take action, will reach 80mph over a wide area on Wednesday and pose a risk of structural damage, bringing down trees and leading to loss of power supplies. Additionally, coastal areas could be hit by large waves.

Gale-force winds of up to 80mph are expected in southern England, creating an additional hazard for communities that have borne the worst of the flooding. The Met Office is also predicting a further spell of widespread rain, with a risk of 40mm on high ground of south Wales and south-west England, which it says will "exacerbate the current flooding situation".

Shipping in the Shannon sea area, south-west of Ireland, have been warned of hurricane force winds.

The prime minister chaired another meeting of the Cobra emergency committee on Wednesday morning. He was told that flooding could reach levels last seen in 1947 in some areas but thousands of military personnel were available at short notice if needed. Major General Patrick Sanders, who is co-ordinating the military response, told the meeting that about 2,000 military personnel were involved in the clean-up operation and support in Somerset was increased overnight.